Zeiss goes wide with lens for Sony E-mount cameras

The three full-frame Zeiss Batis lenses are compatible with Sony's E-mount cameras.

Filmmakers who shoot with Sony Alpha 7 cameras will soon have an extra wide-angle lens option when the Zeiss Batis 2.8/18 optic – the widest prime lens for the E-mount cameras – goes in sale in May 2016.

Whilst it clearly also has many applications for shooting stills the latest addition to the Batis range of lenses may also open up a few wide-angle avenues to movie makers, such as shooting interior scenes and wide, outdoor vistas.

It will sit alongside the Zeiss Batis 2/25 and the Batis 1.8/85 in the range, features a diagonal angular field of 99 degrees and is currently the shortest full-frame fixed focal length with autofocus capabilities. Like some of its Zeiss predecessors the new Batis 2.8/18 incorporates an innovative OLED display on its barrel to show focus distance and depth of field, depending on the camera sensor used.

Said to offer “fast, quiet AF drive with linear motors” to keep subjects sharply in focus the lens also features a rubberised focus ring to allow for precise manual focusing – giving users more creative freedom over composition and focusing.

Like its companion Batis lenses the new wide-angle optic is dust and weather sealed, allowing for use in harsh weather conditions, and will support all of the operating modes and functions of the current range of Sony E-mount cameras.